KAPIT, 28 Oct 2008: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek is all for having open debates to elect party leaders, as suggested by several Umno leaders.

He said the approach would enable party members to evaluate a candidate’s personality, intelligence, strength and most importantly, credibility.

“It may not be in totality but people are anxious to see what plans and programmes a candidate has to offer,” he told reporters after visiting the Kapit district council’s jungle produce market here today.

He said apart from allowing people to differentiate between the candidates, an open debate would go towards reducing money politics.

Ahmad Shabery and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim debated about the fuel price hike on TV on 15 July 2008 in a first ever live debate between politicians. — Bernama